Tourism

Savor the Relaxed Coastal Lifestyle
The livin' is easy in Savannah. There's always plenty to see and do, listen to and watch, but it's often done best at a leisurely pace.

Get out and take a stroll through the squares; sprawl on a bench on the riverfront plaza and watch the ocean-going ships glide by; or spend a quiet evening sitting on a marshside dock being serenaded by the wildlife. So take life easy and enjoy it here. With its unique squares, well-preserved history, fascinating architecture, natural beauty and mild climate, Savannah is a splendid spot for sightseeing. The intimate nature of the Historic District facilitates visiting the many attractions on foot.

Historically significant museums within walking distance downtown include the Andrew Low House, the Ships of the Sea Museum, the Davenport House, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, the King-Tisdale Cottage and the Massie Heritage Center. The Savannah History Museum adjacent to the Visitors Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is an excellent place to start your journey through the city’s history. Next door is the Roundhouse Railroad Museum, the oldest and most complete antebellum railroad repair facilities in the United States.

Out of the Historic District but well worth the drive are the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Pooler (in west Chatham County) and two spectacular forts: Old Fort Jackson, Georgia’s oldest standing brick fort; and Fort Pulaski National Monument east of Savannah on U.S. Highway 80. Continue your trip east on U.S. 80 to laid-back Tybee Island and its beautiful beaches. Check out the Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum, the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and the popular pier and pavilion.

Because of the agreeable weather and residents’ love of getting together and having a good time, Savannah is also a city that caters to special events and festivals. That’s especially true during spring and autumn, when there seems to be something intriguing happening every weekend. The biggest of these events is the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, a green-hued party that can last as long as four days and involves upwards of a half-million participants.

The cultural scene is flourishing in Savannah, home of the largest art school in the country. The students and faculty of the Savannah College of Art and Design have injected a great deal of creativity and vitality into the community, and the school fosters both the visual and performing arts for all to enjoy.

Be sure to visit the Telfair Museum of Art, which houses an outstanding collection of 18th, 19th and 20th century American paintings and decorative art and the Jepson Center for the Arts next door, which displays 20th and 21st century art.

And while you’re checking out the museums, you’ll want to make time for shopping. Stay in the Historic District and have a ball “discovering” the antique stores and specialty shops dotting the area. They’re not really that hard to locate — many are concentrated on historic River Street, in City Market or along Broughton Street. Other clusters of boutiques can be found in retail pockets such as the Downtown Design District at Jones and Whitaker streets, the Starland Design District on Bull Street north of Victory Drive, and around Wright Square.

If all the sightseeing is making you hungry, you’re in luck. From fine dining in sumptuous surroundings to laid-back evening meals at rustic waterside settings, Savannah has much to offer those seeking superb Lowcountry food.